SAUGUS — The School Committee voted (4-0) Thursday to approve a contract for Erin McMahon, the district’s newly-hired superintendent of schools, who will replace current Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi upon his retirement from the position on June 30.
Under the contract, which lasts a notable five years, McMahon will receive an annual salary of $196,000, as well as the flexibility to pursue a Ph.D. at Boston College.
The length of McMahon’s contract is considerable in comparison to many of the town’s previous three-year superintendent contracts, which the committee said was done intentionally to ensure stability in the district.
“We really talked about changing the culture (of the district), and I felt this was something that was important,” Committee member John Hatch said during Thursday’s virtual meeting. “Having a contract this long, it wouldn’t have a superintendent, no matter who it was, beholden to one certain School Committee.
“Because of (the School Committee’s) two-year term … (the superintendent) wouldn’t have to please a certain committee to get their work done.”
Committee member Arthur Grabowski said he initially advocated for a three-year contract to allow the district more flexibility, but ultimately relented in order to present a united front.
He added he hopes McMahon will be a vocal advocate for more funding for Saugus schools.
“This committee is making an approximate $1 million investment in this individual as a leader of our school district over the course of a five-year contract,” Grabowski said. “That’s unprecedented for this district, and it’s unprecedented for Saugus schools to invest that amount of capital into somebody who we hope and fervently pray will turn our school district around.”
A draft of the agreement was completed in collaboration with the committee, McMahon and the district’s lawyers earlier this week, Vice Chair Ryan Fisher said.
To come up with a final salary, Fisher said the committee looked at surrounding communities, comparable districts and McMahon’s individual expertise.
“She has an MBA and will have a doctorate during this contract, and we feel it’s a very competitive contract,” Fisher said. “I can’t wait for her to get started.”
McMahon is the district’s sixth superintendent since 2012, and Saugus’ first-ever female superintendent.
Upon her entry to Saugus schools, she faces a number of district-wide issues, including high administrative turnover, as well as the town’s low Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) scores, which were highlighted in Saugus’ 2019 District Review Report.
Next week, Committee member Dennis Gould said the committee plans to hold a public session which will provide the town’s Board of Selectmen and other officials with an opportunity to meet McMahon.
“Thank you very much to all of you on the (superintendent) search committee for your hard work,” said Chair Thomas Whittredge, who recused himself from the vote due to his sister’s role under the superintendent as director of pupil personnel. “I know it’s a lot of work, but you guys put a lot of hours in, and I appreciate it.”
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
